Data Bank Focus: A Deficit of Good Jobs or a Deficit of Good Candidates?

The National Employment Law Project recently reported an imbalance in employment growth following the recent recession. Its detailed analysis of data from the U.S. Current Population Survey, produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau, shows the news is good for those in higher-wage occupations.

The drop in employment for these jobs during the recession equals the rise in employment during the recovery. It's the recovery for mid- and lower-wage occupations that tells an interesting story. It appears that lower-wage occupations have regained a disproportionate share of employment, stealing a significant share from midwage occupations. Socalled "good jobs" have been outstripped by "poor jobs."

Yet, while these statistics tell a tale of good jobs lost, a report from ManpowerGroup reveals a twist. Its global survey of more than 38,000 employers shows that even as the world economy struggles through the recovery, a third of employers find it difficult to fill empty positions. The U.S. figure is even higher than this global average—almost half of U.S. employers say they cannot find the talent they need for the open jobs they have. And the jobs that appear to be most difficult to fill are those in midwage occupations, with skilled trade workers, engineers and information technology staff at the top of the list.